The ongoing discussion surrounding the future of Fanling Golf Course has taken a new direction, with Andy Kwok Wing-leung, the captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club, urging the government to reconsider the development of a public housing estate at the site. This comes after the successful three-day LIV Golf tournament held at the course last month, which not only brought about significant economic benefits but also garnered global attention.
In a small group briefing, Kwok highlighted the substantial viewership of the tournament, with over 500 million families tuning in worldwide. He also emphasised the tournament’s strong presence on social media, which received 24 million views. Kwok commended the positive impact of the tournament on Hong Kong’s global reputation and tourism industry. He also stressed the potential of large sports events in boosting local tourism and attracting high-spending visitors to the city.
However, Kwok expressed concern over the financial burdens and post-event responsibilities faced by the club, noting the lack of government support despite receiving an “M” mark status and a subsidy for the tournament. The club had to cover significant costs for preparations, as well as the subsequent dismantling of stage installations and repairing damaged grass, which accounted for almost half of the course used for the tournament.
In light of these challenges, Kwok appealed to the government for financial subsidies to support the sustainable organization of more large golf events. He also acknowledged the need for improvements to course facilities while urging the government to keep the course for hosting additional large events, highlighting the greater financial benefits for Hong Kong compared to constructing public housing estates.
Kwok also called for the return of management rights for a 32-hectare land at the course, which was reclaimed by the government last September for public leisure use, to enable the club to hold more large golf events. This plea aligns with an earlier appeal made by Heung Yee Kuk chairman and lawmaker Kenneth Lau Ip-keung to explore alternative land options for public housing development while preserving the golf course.
In response to media inquiries, the Development Bureau emphasized the absence of painless alternatives for land options, stating that abandoning previously studied and discussed plans due to alternative suggestions could impede the progress of land creation and public housing construction.
The call for a reconsideration of the future of Fanling Golf Course highlights the complex considerations at play as Hong Kong grapples with balancing the needs of housing development, sports, and public leisure. As the debate continues, it is clear that a collaborative and strategic approach is essential to address the diverse interests and concerns surrounding this issue.